National Research Capacity Building - Thermal Management of Electric Vehicles
Project overview
This project aims to address technological gaps in electric vehicle (EV) technology with regards to thermal management. With Canada's goal for all new vehicles to be zero-emission by 2035 and current EV registrations showing rapid growth, there's a pressing need to expand research capacity and expertise in this area. Collaborating with three universities and industrial partners, including Stellantis, Lion Electric, and Lightning Grid Quebec, the project will focus on understanding, developing, modeling and optimizing novel thermal management solutions for EVs. This includes a comprehensive examination of electric motors, power inverters and batteries to improve the performance and reliability of electric transportation systems, thereby supporting sustainable and energy-efficient mobility.
Key project details
| Principal investigator | Dominic Groulx, professor, Mechanical Engineering, Dalhousie University |
Co-principal investigators |
Ofelia A. Jianu, associate professor, Mechanical, Automotive, and Materials Engineering, University of Windsor; Aggrey Mwesigye, assistant professor, University of Calgary |
Research collaborators |
Chunyan Lai, assistant professor, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Concordia University; Marie Mills, planning manager, Stellantis; Philippe Leblanc, vice-president, R&D and Engineering, Lion Electric; Michael L. Epstein, president and CEO, Lightening Grid Quebec (LGQ) - Lightergy Group |
Non-academic collaborators |
Lightening Grid Quebec (LGQ) - Lightergy Group; Lion Electric; Stellantis
|
| Research Keywords | Thermal management, electric vehicles, batteries, power electronics, electric motors, fast charging, numerical modeling, experimental design and testing, irreversibility |
| Budget | Cash: $200,000 In-Kind: $120,000 |
Publications:
V. Podeur, L. Michaud, D. Groulx, and C. Jochum, “Downstream tidal turbine transient local blade loading characterization,” Ocean Engineering, vol. 332, p. 121419, July 2025, doi: 10.1016/j.oceaneng.2025.121419.
B. Sponagle, S. Maranda, W. Delgado-Diaz, R. Waser, D. Groulx, and J. Worlitschek, “Experimental validation of a novel modelling technique for packed bed thermal storage systems containing non-spherical phase change material capsules,” International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer, vol. 242, p. 126794, June 2025, doi: 10.1016/j.ijheatmasstransfer.2025.126794.
N. Mazaheri and A. Mwesigye, “Novel high heat flux thermal management with combined supercritical CO2 and a microjet heat sink,” Applied Thermal Engineering, vol. 256, p. 124143, Nov. 2024, doi: 10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2024.124143.
Y. Cherif, L. Zalewski, E. Sassine, and D. Groulx, “Use of the inverse method to determine the thermal properties of liquid n-octadecane accounting for natural convection effect,” International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer, vol. 231, p. 125864, Oct. 2024, doi: 10.1016/j.ijheatmasstransfer.2024.125864.
I. Boukhalfa, M. Afrid, and D. Groulx, “Numerical simulation of hydrodynamically and thermally developing mixed convection in a metal foam-filled elliptic annulus,” International Journal of Thermal Sciences, vol. 200, p. 108941, June 2024, doi: 10.1016/j.ijthermalsci.2024.108941.
M. Belinson and D. Groulx, “Numerical Study of a Latent Heat Storage System’s Performance as a Function of the Phase Change Material’s Thermal Conductivity,” Applied Sciences, vol. 14, no. 8, p. 3318, Apr. 2024, doi: 10.3390/app14083318.
Aggrey Mwesigye: Finalist ASTech Awards 2025 – Energy/CleanTech Innovation Category, ASTech Awards 2025, August 8, 2025.
Nima Mazaheri: Open Scholarship Competition - Doctoral Competition, University of Calgary, May 1, 2025.
Dominic Groulx: Jules Stachiewicz Medal, Canadian Society for Mechanical Engineering (CSME), May 1, 2025.
Dominic Groulx: Fellow of ASME, American Society of Mechanical Engineers, November 1, 2024.
Research focus
Entropy minimization in EV systems
This phase of the project aims to apply the second law of thermodynamics to identify and minimize irreversibilities within EV systems, both at the component and system levels. The objective is to improve energy efficiency and performance through detailed thermodynamic analysis and design optimizations.
Advanced cooling solutions for power electronics
The focus of this phase is on developing innovative cooling solutions for power electronics in EVs, specifically motor inverters. By designing advanced heat sinks, the project seeks to enhance cooling efficiency, reduce manufacturing costs and ensure the sustainability of EVs through experimental and numerical methods.
Thermal management of EV battery packs
This phase aims to explore and develop thermal management solutions for EV battery packs, considering air and liquid cooling methods, and thermal storage for peak shaving. This project targets the improvement of battery pack performance under various Canadian climate scenarios and charging conditions, contributing to the resilience and decarbonization of communities.
Knowledge dissemination and industrial collaboration
Engaging with industrial partners and the academic community to share findings and innovations. The project aims to contribute to the wider body of knowledge on EV thermal management and support the transition to electrified, decarbonized transportation systems.
Non-academic partners
Thank you to our non-academic partners for your support and trust.
Volt-Age is funded by a $123-million grant from the Canada First Research Excellence Fund.
